September 28, 2006
In this issue:
Take Action- Growing Concern over Bud.TV Age-Verification System
Anheuser-Busch has found an insidious way to launch its online TV channel to underage drinkers. The nation’s biggest brewer is using the “honor” system, asking young owners of cell phones and computers if they are of legal age. Starting early next year, Bud.TV will be providing 24-hour-a-day Budweiser-themed shows.
George Hacker, director of the Alcohol Policy Project at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recently talked about the growing concern that alcohol ads are reaching teenagers though the Internet. Hacker called voluntary age registration "a farce" that lets alcohol advertisements draw teenage crowds.
CSPI is concerned about the expansion of Anheuser-Busch's aggressive marketing efforts into the youth-oriented internet medium, and is asking your support in an attempt to encourage the company to strengthen its age-verification systems, thus shielding the site from as many underage visitors as possible. Please join CSPI by signing your organization onto a series of letters that will be sent to some Hollywood stars who are expected to be providing creative content for the Bud.TV site.
If you choose to communicate your endorsement of the letters please respond to Joseph Malherek at jmalherek@cspinet.org or call 202-777-8311 no later than Friday, October 13. Thank you for your consideration and support.
Click here to download a copy of the letter.
Regional Meth Trainings Continue Throughout the State
Are you concerned about the methamphetamine problem in Oregon? Do you want to know what you can do to take action against meth use in your community?
Plan to attend one of three upcoming regional Target Meth Community Trainings, sponsored by the Oregon Governor’s Office, the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, the Oregon Addiction and Mental Health Division and Oregon Partnership.
Upcoming Trainings:
The Target Meth campaign provides community coalitions, business leaders, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, parent groups, social workers, school teachers and other elected and community leaders with alcohol and drug prevention practices, techniques for neighborhood involvement and community action, assistance for families and employers dealing with drug addiction and a link to resources.
Click here to learn more about the next trainings.
John Underwood, the Director of the American Athletic Institute, will be conducting two
trainings on the topic of Alcohol and Drugs in Sports. The trainings
will take place in St. Helens on October 9, at 7:00pm in the Columbia
Learning Center, and on October 10, from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Columbia
Community Mental Health.
John will be presenting some fascinating slides on brain development
and many other details about why adolescents should not use performance
debilitating chemicals. The Cost is $20 which includes LUNCH,
refreshments and materials. Five CEU's from ACCBO are available. Everyone
is welcome to the presentation.
Mr. Underwood is a former runner for the University of Oregon, Masters
Champion runner and consultant for several different states on
Athletic Policy and substance abuse. He has been instrumental in
helping to change existing policies in the entire state of New York. Please email Jill Dale or call: 503-438-2217 for more
information. Click here to download the October 9 event flyer.
Click here to download the October 10 event flyer.
Hundreds of kids from Portland’s newest school celebrated a simple
and effective way to combat youth substance abuse – sharing a meal with
their families. The playground at Rosa Parks Elementary in North
Portland was the lunchtime scene for "Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children,"
founded by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), and celebrated on the fourth Monday of September.
CASA’s research shows that children and teens who eat dinner
regularly with their families are less likely to smoke, drink, or use
drugs. Awards were handed out to youngsters who had participated in an
essay contest telling about their experiences of having dinner with their
families.
The Safeway Foundation, sponsor of the event, presented Oregon Partnership with a $10,000 check for its work in
promoting healthy kids through drug abuse prevention programs. Also on
hand were Oregon First Lady Mary Oberst, Oregon House Speaker Karen
Minnis, State Senator Betsy Johnson, State Senator Margaret Carter, and
Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer.
Click here to learn more about Family Day.
Taking irresponsibility to new heights, a Las Vegas company is
introducing a so-called energy drink called "Cocaine." And no surprise
that the product is being marketed to young partygoers as a "legal
alternative to the real thing." Redux Beverages claims "Cocaine" contains
simple sugars, caffeine and vitamin B-12 but produces a "high" that lasts
for five hours and is "350 percent stronger than Red Bull."
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and the Rush Center are presenting "Faith Partners
Leadership Training for Building Addiction Team Ministries in
Congregations and Faith Communities." While addictions affect all
faith communities, conversations about alcohol and drug use, misuse and
addictions are rare. The goal of the training is to equip participants
with adequate information to take the next steps in developing a
prevention and recovery team ministry in their congregation or faith
community.
The training will take place on Friday, Nov. 3, 2006, from
9:00am to 4:00pm, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 1624
NE Hancock, in Portland. To Pre-register or for more
information: Call EMO at (503) 221-1054.
Click here to download the training flyer.
Oregon Partnership is seeking volunteers to staff their
alcohol and drug helpline/suicide crisis lines. Volunteer
training on these crucial lines will take place beginning on Saturday
September 30, 2006. The fall training schedule takes place on five
Saturdays & 1 Sunday, from 8:30am – 5:00pm. Training will be held;
Saturday September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 & Sunday, October
29. Please call Steve Bobo at: 503-244-5211, by Friday, September 29, if
you are interested in this training.
Participants will receive 56 hours of professional training, an
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certificate,
Americorp opportunities for educational scholarship and 225 hours towards
ACCBO certification.
Oregon Partnership's Alcohol and Drug HelpLine is a free,
confidential referral service that provides information about substance
abuse and refers clients to professional treatment providers. Every year
the HelpLine serves thousands of Oregonians looking for a way to deal with
the disease of addiction.
Click here to download the Fall training flyer.
Do you have information to share with your prevention
colleagues around the state? Please send to: dslifman@orpartnership.org.
Thank you for your continued support of this
publication.
Founder of the American Athletic Institute to Speak About Athletic
Performance and the Impact of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Safeway, CASA and Oregon Partnership Celebrate Family Day
Controversial New Energy Drink: 'Cocaine' In a Can
Training Opportunity: Building Addiction Team Ministries in
Congregations & Faith Communities
Last Chance: Crisis Line Services Volunteer Training
